U.S. Staff Ordered From Saudi Arabia

The State Department ordered non-emergency U.S. government employees and their families to leave Saudi Arabia. It said the order applies only to Saudi Arabia, and warned Americans there about possible airport attacks, airspace closures and travel disruption. Houthi attacks on Saudi airports and oil facilities have escalated in recent weeks amid the wider conflict involving the Iran-backed group and Saudi Arabia. The department said the move followed Iranian-supported Houthi attacks on civilian airports and critical infrastructure, causing casualties and severe travel disruption. U.S. officials said the military has been repositioning personnel and assets across the Middle East. The New York Times reported U.S. and Israeli militaries were preparing possible renewed strikes on Iran after the midterm elections, but President Trump had not approved one.